United Benefice of Altham and Clayton-le-Moors

 Third Sunday after Trinity

This service is live in church, but it will be streamed so if you are unable to attend you can view it online. Now most of the words will also appear when you view the service on line so it will be easier to follow the service.

However, below are the day’s readings as there will not appear on screen.

First  Reading: Galatians 6:1-16

 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. ² Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. ³ If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. ⁴ Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, ⁵ for each one should carry their own load. ⁶ Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

⁷ Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹ Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰ Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

¹¹ See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

¹² Those who want to impress people by means of the fleshare trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. ¹³ Not even those who are circumcised keep the law,yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. ¹⁴ May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which^[a]the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.¹⁵ Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;what counts is the new creation. ¹⁶ Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to^[b] the Israel of God.

Second Reading: Luke 10:1-11, 16-20

10 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two^[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves. ⁴ Do not take a purse or bag or sandals; and do not greet anyone on the road.

⁵ “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.

⁸ “When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is offered to you. ⁹ Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ ¹⁰ But when you enter a town and are not welcomed, go into its streets and say,¹¹ ‘Even the dust of your town we wipe from our feet as a warning to you. Yet be sure of this: The kingdom of God has come near.’

Whoever listens to you listens to me; whoever rejects you rejects me; but whoever rejects me rejects him who sent me.”

¹⁷ The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

¹⁸ He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. ¹⁹ I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. ²⁰ However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.”

Intercessions

Lord of light and vision, open our eyes and hearts to be aware of your presence, to know your love and see your purpose for us all, help us to become what you have called us to be. In our prayers today, we bring before you, our world, our community and our families and friends.

Heavenly Father, you have given us your only Son to be a sacrifice for sin, and an example of Godly life; give us the grace to thankfully receive this wonderful gift, and to follow in his footsteps.

Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Loving Lord, we pray for your church, for our bishops and clergy, that they may lead us wisely and help us to live in the light of your love.  We pray especially at this time for Toby and for Victor as he starts his new ministry with us.

We pray for your blessing to rest upon this Church. We are grateful for its worship and fellowship; for its nurture and love.

Help us to have vision to see the kind of church you desire in the world today. We thank you that we can come to you whenever we want to, and we know that you will hear us and understand what we need. Help us to be more faithful disciples, more loving and understanding with those around us, and make us ready to respond to the many and varied needs of our own community.

Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Loving Lord, we pray for the world, your world that has so many problems: war, hunger, climate change, poverty, broken relationships and it’s hard to know what to work and pray for.  We know that you are aware of all our weaknesses, and we pray for your grace to do what we can to put things right.  At this time, we pray especially for the people of Ukraine, that those who work for peace may not give up, and that your love may break through the violence and bring peace to those who long for it.

Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

We pray for our friends and our families. We remember those who are ill, at home or in hospital and we thank you for those who take good care of them.

Today we pray for anyone known to us who needs our prayers, especially remembering ….. (sick)

Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Merciful God, we remember before God those who have died and those who are bereaved by their passing.

We especially remember the families and friends of … Revd Ted Angus (departed)

 Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer

Faithful God in the week that lies before us, may we reflect your love in our families, our church and our community. Just like the seventy-two, we embrace your call for us to make disciples, to be witnesses and to share the gospel. Give us the eyes to see your vision, ears to hear the prompting of your Spirit and courage to follow in your footsteps.

Merciful Father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ.  Amen

Another social event for your diary!

Back by popular request!

Bowls evening at the Grange Bowling Club.

On Friday 1st July AT 6:30pm

Why not come along and give it a go it is a lot of fun and people of all ages are welcome.

There will be a small charge of  £2.50 for refreshments.

Please continue to support our local Food back based at Clayton Baptist Church, especially as more and more people in the local area are struggling.

•  Food supplies, i.e. tins of soup, breakfast cereals, eggs, tins of fruit, tins of meat, tins of veg, pasta sauce, tea / coffee etc. Also fruit and vegetables.
• Baby items eg nappies, baby milk etc
• Toiletries

Please can you drop  items off at  Clayton Baptist Church. Alternatively if you bring your items to church on Sunday we will make sure that they get to the food bank.

Thank you.

Thinking about the Christian Faith.

Adults wanting to explore their faith, or find out more about Christianity, are invited to a short course at the vicarage on Wednesday evenings, starting 29th September. It would be ideal for anyone considering adult confirmation.

Please contact Revd Toby to register your interest.

Thank you